HOR ADVANCES KEY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, BACKS BILLS ON JUSTICE REFORM,OTHERS
The House of Representatives on Thursday May 15th passed through second reading a wide array of constitutional amendment bills targeting vital sectors of governance, including justice delivery, federal structure, treaty negotiations, population data, and legislative independence.
The package of bills, jointly sponsored by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu and several other lawmakers, was presented on the floor by House Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and received overwhelming support during plenary.
Among the headline proposals is a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to impose strict timelines for the dispensation of justice. Under the draft, trial courts would be required to deliver judgments in civil and criminal matters within 270 days of filing, while appellate courts would have up to 180 days, extendable only under complex or exceptional circumstances.
Also passed for second reading was a bill seeking to repeal the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Act, 2004, and replace it with new provisions establishing the University of Nigerian Languages, to be sited in Aba, Abia State. The proposed university will be empowered to offer degree programmes and serve as a center for the preservation and promotion of indigenous Nigerian languages.
Another major constitutional amendment seeks to alter Sections 158 and 197 of the 1999 Constitution to list the National Assembly Service Commission and State House of Assembly Service Commissions as fully independent bodies. The bill proposes clearer legal recognition of legislative administrative independence and the designation of Clerks of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly as “Heads of Legislative Service” at their respective levels.
In what many analysts see as a push for stronger legislative oversight of foreign policy, a bill was also adopted to constitutionally mandate the involvement of the National Assembly in negotiating and entering into international treaties. This amendment aims to ensure that all treaty processes fall under legislative scrutiny—particularly those affecting areas on the Exclusive Legislative List.
The House also gave a nod to a bill for the creation of Bende North Local Government Area out of the existing Bende LGA in Abia State, while renaming the current area as Bende South LGA. The amendment would alter the First Schedule of the Constitution to reflect the proposed change in the enumeration of LGAs within the state.
Another forward-looking proposal calls for the conduct of a national population census every ten years, following the official publication of the last census report by the President in the Federal Government’s gazette. The aim is to institutionalize periodic, predictable census exercises critical for planning and resource allocation.
In summary, the following bills were passed through second reading:
• Justice Reform Bill: Sets binding timelines for the conclusion of civil and criminal cases.
• Treaty Oversight Bill: Empowers the National Assembly to participate in negotiating and ratifying international treaties.
• Bende LGA Bill: Splits Bende into Bende North and Bende South LGAs.
• Legislative Autonomy Bill: Lists NASS and State Assembly Service Commissions as independent bodies.
• Census Bill: Mandates decennial population census reporting and enumeration.
• Language University Bill: Upgrades the National Institute for Nigerian Languages to a full-fledged university in Aba, Abia State.
All six proposals received voice vote approval under the gavel of Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Thursday’s session. The bills now move to the committee stage for further scrutiny and public input before potential passage into law.
